CISA

Security Advisory

7Zip Mark-Of-The-Web Vulnerability

A high severity vulnerability in 7-Zip is exploiting in the wild. This vulnerability, identified as a Mark-of-the-Web (MoTW) bypass, allows attackers to craft a double archive file that, when extracted, bypasses MoTW protections.

OEM7Zip
SeverityHigh
CVSS7.0
CVEsCVE-2025-0411
Exploited in WildYes
Patch/Remediation AvailableYes
Advisory Version1.0

Overview

The vulnerability enables threat actors to create archives containing malicious scripts or executables, which, due to the flaw, will not receive the usual MoTW protection.

This exposes Windows users to potential attacks and has recently been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. Furthermore, a Proof of Concept (PoC) for this vulnerability has been publicly released, increasing the risk of exploitation.

7-Zip vulnerability allows attackers to bypass the Mark of the Web (MotW) Windows security feature and was exploited by Russian hackers as a zero-day since September 2024.

Vulnerability NameCVE IDProduct AffectedSeverity
  MOTW Bypass vulnerability  CVE-2025-0411  7zip  High

Technical Summary

This vulnerability bypasses the Mark-of-the-Web (MoTW) feature, a security measure in Windows operating systems that flags files originating from the internet as potentially untrusted. MoTW is typically applied to files like downloaded documents, images, or executable files, which prompts a warning when opened. However, this vulnerability occurs when 7-Zip fails to properly propagate MoTW protections to files inside double-encapsulated archives.

An attacker can craft an archive containing another archive (a “double archive”), and 7-Zip did not properly propagate MoTW protections to the content to the inner archive.

This flaw allows any malicious content in the inner archive to be executed without triggering any security warnings. Consequently, this exposes Windows users to the risk of remote code execution and other malicious activities.

CVE IDSystem AffectedVulnerability DetailsImpact
CVE-2025-04117Zip Prior to v24.09    This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through double-encapsulated archives that bypass MoTW protections.Arbitrary remote code injection, potential system compromise

Remediation:

Update 7zip to v24.09 or the latest version. Installing the latest version will ensure that vulnerability is addressed, protecting systems from potential exploitation.

Generic Recommendations

  • Exercise Caution with File Extraction: Always verify the source before extracting files, especially from unfamiliar or untrusted sources.
  • Enhance User Awareness: Educate users on identifying phishing attempts and avoiding clicks on suspicious links or attachments.
  • Monitor for Anomalies: Continuously monitor systems for signs of exploitation, unusual file extraction behaviors, or unauthorized access attempts.

Conclusion

The MoTW bypass vulnerability in 7-Zip represents a serious security concern for Windows users, as it allows attackers to circumvent protective measures and execute malicious code. Updating to the latest version of 7-Zip is the recommended action to ensure systems are protected against this vulnerability.

References:

#CyberSecurity #7Zip #SecurityAdvisory #VulnerabilityManagement #CISO #CXO #PatchManagement #Intrucept

Security Advisory

Active Exploitation of Microsoft Outlook RCE Vulnerability (CVE-2024-21413) 

A critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability, CVE-2024-21413, affecting Microsoft Outlook has been actively exploited.

CISA has directed U.S. federal agencies to secure their systems against ongoing cyberattacks targeting this vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024–21413. The flaw was originally discovered by Check Point vulnerability researcher Haifei Li and is a result of improper input validation when processing emails containing malicious links.

OEM Microsoft 
Severity Critical 
CVSS 9.8 
CVEs CVE-2024-21413 
Exploited in Wild Yes 
Patch/Remediation Available Yes 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

The flaw allows attackers to bypass security protections, leading to NTLM credential theft and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is critical, and Microsoft has released patches to mitigate the risk. 

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity 
 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability  CVE-2024-21413  Microsoft  Critical 

Technical Summary 

The CVE-2024-21413 vulnerability arises due to improper input validation in Microsoft Outlook when handling emails containing malicious links. Exploitation of this flaw enables attackers to bypass Protected View, a security feature designed to prevent execution of harmful content embedded in Office files. 

By manipulating URLs with the file:// protocol and inserting an exclamation mark followed by arbitrary text, attackers can evade Outlook’s built-in security measures, tricking users into opening malicious Office files in editing mode instead of read-only mode. The Preview Pane also serves as an attack vector, enabling zero-click exploitation. Here is the POC also available for this vulnerabilty. 

CVE ID System Affected Vulnerability Details Impact 
CVE-2024-21413 Microsoft Office LTSC 2021, Microsoft 365 Apps, 
Microsoft Outlook 2016, Microsoft Office 2019   		Exploits improper input validation to bypass Outlook security protections using manipulated hyperlinks.  NTLM credential theft, remote code execution, potential full system compromise  

Remediation: 

  1. Apply Security Patches: Ensure that all the Microsoft Office products are updated with the latest security patches. 
  1. Disable NTLM Authentication: Where feasible, reduce reliance on NTLM authentication to prevent credential theft. 

General Remediation: 

  1. Monitor Network Activity: Watch unusual outbound connections to attacker-controlled servers. 
  1. User Awareness Training: Educate employees on recognizing phishing attempts and avoiding click on suspicious links or attachments. 
  1. Enable Advanced Threat Protection: Use security tools like Microsoft Defender to enhance security monitoring and detection. 
  1. Regularly Update Software: Maintain a routine patching schedule to ensure all systems are protected against known vulnerabilities. 
  1. Restrict Macros and External Content: Configure Microsoft Office to block macros and disable automatic external content execution. 

Conclusion: 

The exploitation of CVE-2024-21413 underscores the ongoing threat posed by improperly validated inputs in widely used enterprise software. With this vulnerability being actively exploited and the POC publicly available, organizations must prioritize patching, strengthen monitoring, and follow best security practices to minimize risks. CISA has included CVE-2024-21413 in its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, emphasizing the need for immediate action. 

References: 

Security Advisory

Denial of Service Vulnerability in DNS Security Feature of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 

Summary 

OEM Palo Alto 
Severity High 
CVSS 8.7 
CVEs CVE-2024-3393 
Exploited in Wild  No 
Patch/Remediation Available Yes 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

A Denial-of-Service vulnerability in the DNS Security feature of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS software allows an unauthenticated attacker to send a malicious packet through the data plane of the firewall that reboots the firewall. Repeated attempts to trigger this condition will cause the firewall to enter maintenance mode.  

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Severity Affected Version 
(DoS) in DNS Security Using a Specially Crafted Packet CVE-2024-3393   Palo Alto High PAN-OS 11.2 – < 11.2.3* PAN-OS 11.1 – < 11.1.5* PAN-OS 10.2 – >= 10.2.8*, <10.2.14* PAN-OS 10.1 – >= 10.1.14*, <10.1.15* 

Technical Summary 

CVE ID System Affected Vulnerability Details Impact 
CVE-2024-3393   Palo Alto PAN-OS CVE-2024-3393 is a high-severity DoS vulnerability in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS exists in the DNS Security feature, where malformed DNS packets are improperly parsed and logged. If exploited, this vulnerability enables an unauthenticated attacker to remotely trigger a firewall reboot. Repeated exploitation attempts can cause the firewall to enter maintenance mode. CISA added it to the KEV catalog, with patching required by January 20, 2025.     Dos – Denial-of-Service 

Remediation: 

  • Update: Ensure that the appropriate patches or updates are applied to the relevant PAN-OS versions as listed below 
PAN-OS Version Fixes and Releases 
PAN-OS 11.1 11.1.2-h16, 11.1.3-h13, 11.1.4-h7, 11.1.5 
PAN-OS 10.2 10.2.8-h19, 10.2.9-h19, 10.2.10-h12, 10.2.11-h10, 10.2.12-h4, 10.2.13-h2, 10.2.14 
PAN-OS 10.1 10.1.14-h8, 10.1.15 
PAN-OS 10.2.9-h19 Only applicable to Prisma Access 
PAN-OS 10.2.10-h12 Only applicable to Prisma Access 
PAN-OS 11.0 No fix (reached end-of-life status on November 17, 2024) 

Recommendations: 

  • Avoid Using EOL Versions: 
  • PAN-OS 11.0 is end-of-life (EOL) as of November 17, 2024. Ensure that you are not using this version and upgrade to be supported versions. 
  • Monitoring & Incident Response: 
  • Regularly monitor firewall logs for unusual behavior, especially DoS triggers. 
  • For Prisma Access Users (Workaround): 
  • Disable DNS Security logging across all NGFWs if patching cannot be applied immediately. This can be done by opening a support case with Palo Alto Networks. 

References: 

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